Comprehensive Synchro Pro 4D Hands-On Training Manual

Shahabaz Bim coordinator

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohammad-shahabaz-nagundi-220036103?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app
Slide 2.Workspave Layout
Slide 3.Workspave Layout
Slide 4.Workspace Management
Slide 5.Reset Layout
Slide 6.Task list & Gantt chart window
Slide 7.3D Window Navigation
Slide 8.4D Review
Slide 9.IMporting Schedules/Plans
Slide 10.Synchro Pro 58 files types importing formats
Slide 11.Importing 3d files
Slide 12.Under standing resources
Slide 13.Creating resources
Slide 14.4D Linking Process -Assigning Resources to Tasks.
Slide 15.Appearance profiles
Slide 16.Animations
Slide 17.Animation Editor
Slide 18.Exporting an Animation
Slide 19.Exporting an Animation-Avi Resolution
Slide 20.Exporting an Animation
Slide 21.3D Subdivision
Slide 22.Cutting Planes
Slide 23.View Points
Slide 24.Output i)Save as Image ii)Export 3D pdf
 1
2

Workspace Layout
15

Focus Time 1. Quick access toolbar

2. Ribbon
4 3. Gantt chart
4. Task list
5. Resources tab
6. Resource Groups tab
3 7. 3D Objects tab
8. 3D view window
9. Task properties tab
10. Resource Properties
tab
11. Resource Group
properties tab
12. 3D View properties
13. 3D properties
14. Status bar
8 15.Toolbar

5 6 7 9 10 11 12 13

14
 Workspace Layout
• Quick Access Toolbar: contains commonly used icons. The Quick Access toolbar can be customized by left
clicking on the down arrow and selecting More Commands.
• Ribbon: contains commands, sorted by category. In the top right corner of the Ribbon is the Help menu which
can be used to find more information about a particular feature.
• Gantt Chart: window displays the list of Tasks, which can be created, modified, linked, etc.
• Resources: contains the list of Resources (including those imported and those created in SYNCHRO).
• Resource Groups: contains the list of Resource Groups created in SYNCHRO
• 3D Objects: contains the list of 3D Objects and Workspaces (including those imported and those created in
SYNCHRO).
• 3D Window: displays the modelled resources at any defined point in time.
• Task Properties: contains data related to the selected Task(s) including Task Status (in the General panel),
assigned Resources, and Budgeted
Costs.
• Resource Properties: contains data related to the selected Resource(s) including Costs, assigned to Tasks, and
User Fields.
• 3D View Properties: contains properties that allow the user to set different view settings per view. Filters,
View Indicators, Render modes, Cutting Planes etc.
• Toolbars: contain shortcuts and useful commands found in SYNCHRO. Right click in the empty space below
the Ribbon to view and select available toolbars. Select Customise to create your own custom toolbar of
commonly used commands.
 Workspace Management
• Resizing Windows
Place the cursor at the top of the 3D Window so the double
arrow icon appears.
Select it with a left mouse click, hold down and drag the 3D
window up. All windows in SYNCHRO can be resized
by this method. Windows can also be resized horizontally
• Undocking and Relocating Windows
To undock a window, double click in the window header.
To undock a single tab, left click on the tab and keep holding
the mouse button while moving the mouse. The tab
will be undocked as a new window.
To re-dock the window in the previous location, simply double
click the window header.
To re-dock the window in a different location, left click and
drag in the window header. Move the mouse over
another window until the smart window placement icons Smart Window
appears. Hover over one of the icons – a blue preview of Placement Icon

where the window will be place will be shown. Release the

mouse button to place.
Reset layout
If you close any of these windows, you can re-open them by selecting the appropriate icons in the Windows tab.

To reset the window layout to the default, select Windows tab → Windows Placement panel → select Reset
Placement.

This command is particularly useful if you cannot locate a particular window or the window placement is changed
when switching from multiple monitors to only one.
 Double
click here

• Task list • Gantt chart

• Task list
To Scroll, use the scroll bar on the right in the Task List. Or, roll the middle Gantt Chart
mouse button wheel forward and back to scroll up and down respectively. Move the mouse into the Gantt Chart

Collapse / Expand. In the Task List, click on the icon next to any WBS To Pan, hold down the middle mouse button then move the mouse up, down, left and right
summary to collapse the schedule to that level. When collapsed, click on the
icon to expand the summary task. To Zoom, roll the middle mouse button wheel forward and back to zoom in and out respectively.

Collapse / Expand. Right-click in the Task List and choose Collapse > All to To Center a task in the Gantt Chart, double click in the white space for the SELECTED task.
view only the top level Right click again and choose Expand > All to see all the
tasks again.

In the Task List or any table in Synchro, use the SHIFT and Left Arrow keys
together to collapse.
Similarly, use the SHIFT and Right Arrow keys together to expand
3D Window Navigation
It is highly recommended to have a mouse with left click and right click buttons, as well as a scroll wheel (that has center click capabilities).
• Zoom All - This will show all the objects from the front as the models have been created- it can be used if the view
becomes disoriented.
o Within the 3D window click the right mouse button and select Zoom All.
o Or select the 3D tab → Zoom panel → Zoom All.
• Rotate - Hold down the left mouse button at a point in the 3D View that you want to rotate about, then move the mouse.
• Zoom - Scroll the middle mouse button forward to zoom in and back to zoom out.
• Pan - Hold down the middle mouse button and move the mouse left, right, up and down.
• View Cube - Left click on points or faces on the cube and the view will rotate to that viewpoint, or hold down the left
mouse button on the circle to rotate.
View Cube

NOTE: To enable the View Cube (if not already enabled), in the 3D tab → Display Settings panel. Check the box next to
“View Cube Manipulator”

To open Multiple 3D windows Go to 3Dtab → 3D View → New Window

4D Review
The 4D Review tab contains all the commands needed to control the Focus Time.
1. From the 4D Review ribbon → Player panel, select to 1 Move to Start.
2. From the 4D Review ribbon → Player panel, select to 2 Play.
3. The speed can be adjusted by selecting from the 4D Review ribbon → Speed panel, then chose an option from the drop-down menu, for
example 1 Week.3Note that in this instance, the red Focus Timeline will move ahead in intervals of one week.
4. From the 4D Review ribbon → Player panel, select to 4 PAUSE.
5. From the 4D Review ribbon → Player panel, select to 5 Stop.

1 4 5

3 2

Red Focus Timeline

Importing Schedules/Plans To import a schedule, select File tab → Import then
This section will demonstrate how to import a schedule/plan from another source select the source program.
and manipulate the Gantt Chart display options.
You can import a range of different schedule/plan files into SYNCHRO PRO.

The types of plan/schedule files that can be imported:

• SYNCHRO Pro and SYNCHRO Scheduler (.SP file extension)

• Asta PowerProject
• Microsoft Project XML
• PMA NetPoint
• Primavera P6
• IFC

NOTE: Asta PowerProject must be installed on the same computer as SYNCHRO

in order to import schedules from this program.

Importing from Primavera can be achieved via P6 XML or directly from the P6
database using the P6 API. Direct database access can be achieved for either PPM
or EPPM (Standalone/Local or Server) versions of Primavera P6.
 SYNCHRO Pro can import 58 file types for 3D models including DWF, DWG, DGN, SKP, 3D PDF, and IFC. Multiple file types can be imported into the
same master SYNCHRO Project.

Product: File Extension(s): Version(s): Note(s): Product: File Extension(s): Version(s): Note(s): Product: File Extension(s): Version(s): Note(s):
Rhino 3DM 4, 5, 6, 7 CATProduct,
ACIS SAT, SAB up to 2023 CATPart,
CATIA V5/V6 Up to V5_6R2023
v7, v8, 2013- CATDrawing,
SketchUp SKP CATShape, CGR
Alias Wavefront OBJ All Versions 2020
Collada DAE up to 1.5
AutoCAD DWG, DXF R14 - 2022 V19 - 20, ST -
ASM, PAR,
Solid Edge ST10, 2019 to Dassault
3DXML
Up to V5-6 R2019
Autodesk DWF, DWFX up to 2012
PWD, PSM Interchange Format (R29)
2023

Autodesk 3DS 3DS Any SLDASM, GL Transmission

SolidWorks up to 2023 GLTF, GLB 2.0 only
SLDPRT Format

Autodesk FBX FBX 6.0 - 7.5 AP203,

STEP part Geometry HOOPS stream file HSF
STEP, STP AP214,
files ONLY
AP242
MF1, ARC, UNV, up to 13.x (NX 5),
Autodesk Inventor IPT, IAM Up to 2024 I-deas
Stereo PKG NX I-deas 6
STL All versions
Lithography IFC IFC 2x, 2x2, 2x3, 4
Bentley iModel I.DGN 1.0
UGS JT JT up to 10.6
IGES part files IGES, IGS 5.1 - 5.3
V11 to v18,
via SYNCHRO 4D
For SYNCHRO 4D NX to NX12,
Bentley iModel 2.0 .BIM Pro
PRO license only Unigraphics NX1847 Plugin for Naviswork
PRT
NX Series to s.
NX2212 NWF, NWC, *IMPORTANT:
PRT Series Navisworks 2017-2024
[NWD]* NWD can be
V7, V8, V8 exported to SPX, but
XM, V8I, V8i SYNCHRO 4D Pro ECMA-363, does not support
(SELECTseries Plugin is available future model updates
Bentley
DGN 2), V8i for
Universal 3D U3D 1st, 2nd & 3rd
MicroStation editions via Synchronise From
(SELECTseries MicroStation CONN
3), V10 ECT Edition xmt_bin, x_b, x_t,
VDA-FS VDA 1.0 - 2.0 Parasolid
xmt_txt
up to v35.1
(CONNECT)
V1.0 and
PRT, ASM, NEU, Pro/Engineer 19.0 to
VRML files VRML, WRL V2.0 ProE/Creo
XAS, XPR, Creo 10.0
EXP, DLV, MODEL, (VRML'97)
CATIA V4 up to 4.2.5
SESSION
3D PDF, via SYNCHRO 4D
PDF, PRC All Versions Revit RVT 2017-2024
PRC Pro Plugin for Revit
 Importing 3D Files
1. Select File tab → Import → 3D.
2. Browse to locate the files that need to be imported.
3. Select Open.
4. Select Next to view the import settings.
• Read Unit Information – when enabled, processes the
unit information of the 3D Object (i.e. cm, inches)
• Read 3D Text Annotations – when enabled, SYNCHRO will
process any text assigned to the 3D Object in the CAD file
• Process User Fields – when enabled, SYNCHRO will
import system- and user-generated parameters (or tags)
with the 3D geometry as User Fields
• Ignore Hidden 3D Objects – when enabled, objects that
are hidden by filters or other display controls in the 3D
file will not be imported into the SP file
• Ignore Wireframe 3D Objects – when enabled, polylines,
lines, circular arcs, circles, elliptical arcs, ellipses, and
NURBS curve objects will not be imported into the SP file
• Load 3D Objects into memory - controls whether
imported objects are automatically loaded into memory.
If disabled, imported objects will not be loaded into
memory and will not be visible in the 3D window.
Disabling this option tends to reduce the time to import
and is recommended especially for large files.
NOTE: To load/unload an object from memory after
importing, check the box next to the object name in the
3D Objects tab.
• Default Tessellation Accuracy – allows the modelling
engine to determine its own Tessellation accuracy to
control Tessellation.
• SKP Format (Process Layers as Filters) – when enabled,
creates Filters for Sketchup Layers
5. Select Next to view additional import settings related
to the geometry location, scale and rotation. We do not need
to edit any of these settings for this training.
6. Select Import. A progress bar will display while the files are imported.
7. When the import is finished the Resource Wizard will appear.
 Understanding Resources
• When 3D Objects are imported into SYNCHRO, they are just 3D Representations / Geometry that
can be viewed and manipulated in the 3D View.
• In order for 3D geometry to be linked to the project schedule they must be assigned to Resources.
These can be considered ‘3D Resources’ which can be in essence a copy of the object name or
several objects grouped together as one ‘3D Resource’.
• A Resource is anything utilised by a project schedule. In SYNCHRO, Resources are categorized as
Equipment, Human, Location, or Material.
Resources do not necessarily need to have a 3D representation .

Choose Assign to a new Resource and select Next.

NOTE: Selecting “No assignment “will finish the 3D import
process without creating any Resources. These 3D objects
would not be able to be assigned to Tasks until Resources
were created
Enter Site for the Name and make sure the Type is set to Material.
Then select Next, the Resource Creation options will show next.

Assign to this Resource, don't build tree-Use this option when importing equipment.

Add Resource underneath, don't build tree-Use this option when importing equipment that needs to be assembled.

Assign to this Resource, build tree-Use this option if you want to assign objects separately to different tasks, but have
caution when importing multiple 3D files as it will merge the tree structures .

Add Resources underneath, build tree-Use this option if you want to assign objects separately to tasks. This option
gives you the largest object tree and most options for filtering and assigning resources to tasks.
Creating Resources for all “Structural Foundations” 3D objects
1. Select one footing object in 3D window
2. Reselect it in 3D Objects window
3. Use Shift + Left arrow to eventually have the entire “Structural foundations” node selected

4. Right-click in 3D View or 3D Objects

5. Resource Wizard → Material → Assign to Resource, do not build tree
 4D Linking Process – Assigning Resources to Tasks
1. Left click on the Task to select/highlight.
2. Choose the Appearance Profile (which dictates how the Resource is to behave before, during, and after the Task).
3. Select the Resource.
4. Assign the Resource to the Task.

Six different ways to assign resources to task.

1.By selecting 3D objects from 3D object tab, drag and drop on selected task in Gnatt chart
2.By selecting Resources from Resource tab, drag and drop on selected task in Gnatt chart
3.By Selecting 3D in 3D View Window by holding Ctrl+Alt , drag and drop on selected task
in Gnatt chart
4.By Rightclick on Resource & Assign to Selected Task

5.By Rightclick on Task Assign Selected Resources.

6. By keyboard shortcut Ctr+Shift+A or Ctr+Shift+Alt+A (Task and Resource or 3d must be selected)

Appearance Profiles
The Appearance Profile selected when assigning a Resource to a task
dictates how the Resource is to behave before,
during, and after the Task. The Appearance Profile controls:
• when the Resource is visible (before, during, and/or after) according to
one of 5 Actions (Install, Maintain,
Neutral, Remove, and Temporary).
• the colour of the Resource in the 3D view before during and after the
Task.
• any growth simulation or transparency interpolation during the Task.

In the Navigator tab → 4D Visualization panel → Appearance Profiles.

In the Appearance Profiles tab, under System
Profiles you will see 5 predefined options which will be used when
assigning to tasks. The functions of these are shown in
the table .
 Animations
Having created your 4D schedule within SYNCHRO it is also possible to create a scheduling animation that can be communicated to third parties or exported as
a video and used as presentation material (without the need to install SYNCHRO). Animations can show an overview of the whole project, or you may prefer to
create an animation that focuses on a few tasks or a few days of construction . Animations can also be used to export a series of still images and tables over a
period of time for inclusion in a report.
From the 4D Review ribbon → Animations panel → Animation Editor.
Animations are made of a series of Keyframes which define
the viewpoint (camera-angle, position and zoom) and
contents (Focus Time), and 3D View Properties of the 3D
window at a given point in time within the Animation.

A Keyframe is added by left-clicking in the Camera, Focus

Time, or 3D View Properties channels in the Animation
Editor.

The added Keyframe records the current settings of the

camera, Focus Time, or 3D View Properties.

Camera Keyframes are marked by a blue diamond in the

Camera animation channel.
blue diamond
yellow diamond
Focus Time Keyframes are marked by a yellow diamond
brown diamond
3D View Properties Keyframes are marked by a brown
diamond
 blue diamond
brown diamond
Creating Focus Time keys
Move the Focus Time Marker in the Gantt Window to
the date you wish the animation to begin.
Left click in the Focus Time Channel to define the
start of the animation by creating a Focus Time Key
(Yellow Diamond) at 0:00:00. Move the Focus Time
Marker in the Gantt Window to the date you wish the
animation to finish.
Scroll out in the Animation Editor Window to see the
duration you wish the animation to end.
Left click at the desired time in the Focus Time
Channel to define the length of the animation.
Scroll Middle Mouse
yellow diamond wheel in this Area To
Rescale Timeline
Creating Camera keys
Make sure the Focus Time Marker in the Animation Editor
Window is at the start of the animation.
Adjust the 3D window to the desired starting Camera Angle.
Left click in the Camera Channel at 0
seconds to create a Camera Key (Blue Diamond) and define
the starting view
Move the Focus Time Marker and Left click in the Camera
Channel to add more Camera Keys and
change the Camera Angle. Also you can change the Camera Create 3D View Properties keys
Interpolation Type by Right Go to 3D View Properties > 3D Notations. Right Click to create a 3D
Clicking on the Camera Key (Blue Diamond). Notation.
Move the Focus Time in Animation Editor to where the selected 3D
Note: Pay attention to tasks with the following features used. Notation needs to Appear. Left click in 3D View Properties Channel to
Left click to extend their time so the visuals add a Keyframe. Move the Focus Time in Animation Editor to where
appear longer in the animation. you would like the selected 3D Notation to Disappear. Uncheck the
• Tasks with Appearance Profiles with growth box next to the selected 3D Notation. Left click in 3D View Properties
• Task with 3D Path Channel to add an keyframe.
• Task with short durations
 Exporting an Animation
Once an animation has been created, it can be exported as an AVI file which can be shared
and played by a video player on any computer.
TIP: Before the animation is exported it is recommended that a small duration of a few
seconds is added to the end. Otherwise it will snap back to the beginning once it’s been
exported.
To export an Animation go to you Navigator ribbon, and select Animations. Right Click on
the Animation to be exported, then select Export Animation from the context menu.

1. Drag the Focus Time Marker to the end of the animation

and Left Click in the focus time or camera channel of the
animation editor at about 45 Seconds. (This will add 5
seconds to the end of the animation).
2. At this point it’s typical that the Axis Indicator, Grid, and
3D Path are switched off. In 3D View Properties → General
→ Indicators and uncheck the box next each one to turn them
off.
3. If you wish to include a 3D Legend in the exported
Animation, you may edit it in 3D View Properties →
Legend. For this training:
i. Enable Show Legend
ii. Change Location to Top-Left
iii. Next to Appearance Profiles to include in Legend,
uncheck the box for All, then enable only Install and Remove
in the list below
4. Select the Animations window, right click on the “Site
Tour” animation and select Export Animation.
5. Create a new folder named Site Tour. Open the folder and
press Save.
 AVI Resolution
You will be presented with the Export Animation window with Resolution options shown:
i. Resolution – (1920x1080)
ii. Frame Rate – 25 [the number of images per second],

NOTE: The higher the frame rate, the better the quality of the video, but it does take longer to
export. A good frame rate is 25. A frame rate of 15 is sufficient for a test export

iii. Duration – Split every 0 Seconds

NOTE: The maximum AVI file size is 2 GB. For long animations, or those with high frame rate,
splitting the video ensures that the files will not exceed this limit. Splitting the video (e.g. every
10 – 30 seconds) will also allow you to re-export sections of the AVI if you have changed your
project. Sections will need to be stitched together in a video editing tool

iv. Compression – Codec: x264vfw - H.264/MPEG-4 AVC codec (If it is not already set to this
please select Change)

NOTE: This Codec can optionally be installed using the SYNCHRO Pro installer

NOTE: You also have the option to export the Animation in an image format (PNG, JPG, or
BMP). Frame rate will determine how many image files are created per second. You can
combine the images in an Animation software package if required. If you want to export to a
series of image, enable the checkbox Export the animation as a series
of images with given quality and choose what image quality you wish to use (for JPG only).
 Now we will need to set up the layout of the Content. Use the Check Box's to choose
the Content you want in the animation.

The Content List is set up as a hierarchy, whatever is at the top of the list will view in
front of the content listed below it. There is also Shaded and Iray options for visual
enhancement.

You adjust the Content settings or add Contents by using the other Context Tabs.
SYNCHRO 4D Pro .SYNCHRO – Get time on your side.

You can preview your animation by scrolling through the Timeline and selecting
Preview.

Once the Content is set up, we will need to setup the Resolution settings.
Note: It is recommended to use Codec: for the Compression settings

Once the Animation is ready to export, select OK (Export). If at any point you need to
go back to your project to make adjustments select Save (1), then Cancel (2).
3D Subdivision
The 3D Subdivision tool can be used to divide a model object into smaller sub-parts. The sub-parts can AREA
1
be selected individually and assigned to separate tasks. This may be used, for example, to divide a AREA
AREA
2
single concrete slab into individual concrete pours or split continuous columns and walls by level 3
without having to ask the modeller or architect to make the
changes in the original file
rom the 3D ribbon → Edit panel → select Subdivide. If the 3D Subdivision window is docked on
opening, double-click the header to undock it as a floating window.

Select 3d object in
the 3D window

There are 3 options for Subdivision Type 1 Slice, 2 User Slice and 3 Freehand
In Slice mode, the subdivided object is split into orthogonal uniform planes (columns,
rows and layers)
In User Slice mode, the subdivided object is split into orthogonal non-uniform planes
(columns, rows and layers). The size of each slice is defined as a proportion of the original
3
3d object Dispalys in
geometry
1 2 the 3D Subdivision
In Free Hand mode, the subdivision planes are defined by user-drawn lines window
(polylines) that are then extended in a particular direction. This can be used to
split objects into irregular shapes.
 Cutting Planes
Cutting planes may be used for example, to view inside
of a building or underground when working in
SYNCHRO, when playing the Focus Time, or when
exporting an animation.
4D Review Ribbon → Cutting Planes
or
Right click in the 3D window and choose Cutting planes → Cutting Plane X or Y or Z or Cutting
Box
To set a Cutting Plane, you must click on an object, not in empty space.

3D View Properties window → Cutting Planes tab

The plane can be turned on/off by enabling/disabling the check box.

The Show Plane and Show Manipulator check boxes allow you to hide
these visual indicators in the 3D view, while still applying the cutting plane
 Viewpoints
Viewpoints can store Focus Time, Camera Angle, and
3D View Properties including applied 3D Filters, and
Cutting Planes. A saved Viewpoint can be reactivated at
any point in one or all 3D windows. This can be useful
for returning to a particular time or view after updating
a schedule or model to see what has changed, or to
quickly jump to points of interest when presenting to
stakeholders.
Adjust the camera angle to a desired view and move the
Focus Time to a particular moment in time.
Right click in the 3D window and choose Viewpoints →
Save Viewpoint
or
To return to the saved Viewpoint, in the Navigator ribbon
→Viewpoints
window simply double click on the Viewpoint name, or select
the Viewpoint name and press the Activate in selected 3DView
button located below the list
of Viewpoints

Right Click in 3D View window, click Enable Markup Mode

or
Navigator ribbon →Tools panel →Enable Markup
Output
1.Save as Image : You can easily save an image of the 3D window to share with
others. There are 2 ways to save an image.
1. If you have a saved Viewpoint that you would like to export as an image, in
the Viewpoints window, select the Viewpoint name, right click and choose
Save as Image.
2. You can also save an image of the current 3D window without first creating a
Viewpoint, by right clicking in the 3D window and choosing Save as Image
from the context menu.
Export 3D PDF
SYNCHRO gives you the ability to export a 3D View of the project as a 3D PDF,
which can be manipulated in any PDF compatible programs, such as Adobe Reader.
This can be used to share the 3D Model with others electronically without having to
share the SYNCHRO Project file.
1. Move the Focus Time in the Gantt Chart to show any view you would like to
export.
2. In File tab, select Export → 3D.
3. In the Export 3D window, select Browse to choose where you would like to save
your 3D PDF.
i. Choose a file name.
ii. Set “Save as Type” to 3D PDF(*.pdf).
iii. Select “Save”.
4. Select the following Options
i. Export Mode: Export in accordance with the current Focus
Time.
ii. Dates to use: Best.
iii. Check: Take into account global 3D Filter.
Thank you